Take a look at our latest blog posts to find out more about what’s happening in the appraisal industry and with DataMaster.
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FHA Market Condition Analysis Updates
Early this year, FHA announced updates to the Single Family Handbook, section 4000.1. Among the changes to the handbook are a clarification to the Minimum Requirements for Living Unit and an addition to the Gross Living Area section to permit appraisers to use ANSI measurements. The section we are most concerned about is in the […]
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How to Get Things Done When Everything Feels Important
It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about? Henry David Thoreau We’re busier than we’ve ever been. How often have you talked to a friend about how busy you’ve been? How many important items do you have to get done? It’s one of those […]
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High Housing Costs and the Consequences
Introduction The rise in the cost of housing has many Americans worried. As housing consumes an increasing percentage of a household’s income, other areas of individual and family lives are negatively affected. The effects of less money for necessities and extras will grow as more and more households become cost-burdened. Let’s examine the state of […]
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Solving the Housing Shortage
Introduction It’s no secret that the demand for single-family homes in the United States is greater than the supply. Not only are fewer people selling their homes, but fewer homes are also being built! We must do something, but what? Let’s examine the housing supply problem, and then we’ll discuss several options for solving the […]
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Will Homeownership Bankrupt Americans?
Can the Average American Afford a Home Anymore? Recently, one of my Millennial children tried to buy a home in the Layton, Utah, area. He repeatedly bid against people offering more than $20k above the asking price. Realizing he had to have even more cash upfront, he managed to come up with an extra $15k […]
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Becoming Indistractable
Book Recommendation – Indistractable by Nir Eyal Most appraisers are on the road a lot. I understand the need to stay engaged while driving. My go-to in my car is to listen to podcasts and audiobooks. (Along with the occasional baseball game if I can find one.) A few weeks ago, I came across Indistractable […]
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Why Are Appraisers So Happy With Their Jobs?
Who’s happy at their job? Real estate appraisers are! Appraisers have higher-than-usual job satisfaction. With an impressive job satisfaction rating of 79.4 percent, real estate appraisers in the United States are generally much happier at their jobs than other Americans are. It’s a sad truth, but only a pitiful 54 percent of American workers report […]
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What Is A Home Appraisal?
Why Didn’t My Home Appraise Higher? A friend (I’ll call him Art) recently had his home appraised. When the appraisal came back, he was shocked to see that his home appraised for less than two homes nearby that had recently sold. Art’s home has an upgraded kitchen and newer carpet. His home is more aesthetically […]
